Saturday, January 31, 2015

As continued from previous post. We were at Dakota Crescent estate and the last pic saw my colleague headed to block 12. Just what is there?

Tian Kee & Co.

Huh? Just WHAT is this place…?

**hipster post alert**

Apparently, this space used to be a provision shop (my mind flew back to images of money being kept in a pail overhead and the shopkeeper pulling it down with the tinkling of bells to get some change) and is converted into a cafe with a retro concept.

What a gem!

from the inside A mish-mash of various old-skool furniture pieces and a re-upholstered sofa along the wall.

furniture As old-skool as it can get. Check out the posters!

One end of the counter The zinc cladding at the counter is a nice, rustic touch. The shopfront is merely a low wall with the roller shutters up.

No air-con here so the ample ventilation is much appreciated.

other end of the counter

Rusted signages. In all 4 local languages, mind you.

And those postcard-sized pictures that look like it dates back to the 50-60's... Aptly, they're about coffee.

behind the counter

Whimsical stuff that can easily induce some nostalgia.

The cartoon cardboard cut-outs, the Milo tin that has seen better days, the biscuit tins…

You can even see colourful soda in glass bottles in the foreground.

our drinks order

long blackAhh… the typical kopi cup.

mocha latte

macchiato

I must have been soo delusioned by Starbucks' rendition of a macchiato (my to-go drink is the Caramel Macchiato) and was a tad crestfallen to be served this in that tiny espresso cup. Huhu.

But they use pretty good beans here. That's some darn nice coffee, I gotta admit.

In case you're wondering what's the difference between a latte and a macchiato in general, well here's a good graphic guide.

Well yeah, I either get served a small amount in an espresso cup or get a half-cup of drink. Go figure.

The also have some nice cakes and typical cafe foods like all-day breakfast and stuff. Their rainbow cheesecake looks really lovely (reminds me of paddle pop ice-cream).

All in all, it's a pretty great experience. Almost 90% of this place is really retro/antique. From the signboard, the kiddy ride outside (still functioning, mind you), the furniture & fittings, cutlery & crockery plus the bric-à-brac behind the counter. And not to mention the building and estate it's located in.

Friday, January 30, 2015

My colleague randomly thought of this place and brought us here. He came upon this 'old skool' estate during his morning cycle and want us to have the experience of 'being taken back in time'.

It's a quaint estate with much of their infrastructure and amenities left intact (save for some touching-up).

Seeing this concrete playground with its sand base got me all excited. It's very similar to the playground of my childhood!

I remember, the place becomes a water playground after a heavy rainfall and we literally jump right in, barefooted. Who cares about bacteria or dog poop or whatnots in those days? Before those mall rooftops and heavily padded water playgrounds of today; we've already had our own rendition, back then.

The most 'gung-ho' amongst us will climb up that triangular peak and remain there when playing 'catching' because no one else can climb there to tag them as the next 'police'.

We always have holes in our clothes because there were lots of sand on that concrete slide (more sand = smoother ride down).

That round tyre swing allowed you to swing 360deg and not just in the front-back direction. And always got junk stuffed inside the space in the tyre. And who can forget about pretending to be firemen when sliding down that vertical pole…?

Wish I can bring my kiddo here to try the playground that his Ummi always loved. I heard that this estate might just be razed in the near future. It's close to the city, after all. The land must be really expensive here.

In the last picture~ Just where is my colleague headed to, at block 12…?